Growin' Up
E Street Band the Lyrics
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I combed my hair till it was just right and commanded the night brigade
I was open to pain and crossed by the rain and I walked on a crooked crutch
I strolled all alone through a fallout zone and come out with my soul untouched
I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd, but when they said, "Sit down," I stood up
Ooh...growin' up
The flag of piracy flew from my mast, my sails were set wing to wing
I pushed b-52 and bombed them with the blues with my gear set stubborn on standing
I broke all the rules, strafed my old high school, never once gave thought to landing
I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd, but when they said, "Come down," I threw up
Ooh...growin' up
I took month-long vacations in the stratosphere, and you know it's really hard to hold your breath
I swear I lost everything I ever loved or feared, I was the cosmic kid in full costume dress
Well, my feet they finally took root in the earth, but I got me a nice little place in the stars
And I swear I found the key to the universe in the engine of an old parked car
I hid in the mother breast of the crowd, but when they said, "Pull down," I pulled up
Ooh...growin' up
Ooh...growin' up
In "Growin' Up," Bruce Springsteen reflects on his coming-of-age experiences, which he describes in a surrealistic and symbolic way. The first verse sets the tone with images of a masquerade, a crooked crutch, and a fallout zone, suggesting that the singer is confronting his own identity and the anxieties of the Cold War era. The chorus, which repeats the phrase "Growin' up" with an evocative, nasal inflection, highlights the theme of the song and its ambivalent attitude towards maturity. On the one hand, the singer asserts his independence and rebellious spirit, like a pirate sailing against the wind with a jukebox graduate for a mate. On the other hand, he acknowledges his vulnerability and confusion, as when he takes month-long vacations in the stratosphere to escape his problems, but ultimately finds solace in "a nice little place in the stars" and "the engine of an old parked car." The final verse seems to suggest a resolution or transformation, as the singer claims to have found "the key to the universe" and pulls up instead of down when the crowd tells him to come down.
Speaking of the meaning of the song, Springsteen said in an interview: "I think really the song is about…the need to just create something. To hold onto a sense of yourself and to avoid becoming like your parents or becoming someone you don't want to be." He added that the song appears in his live shows because "it's kind of autobiographical, it's got a story, it's got some humor, it's got some social satire in it, it's got some rock and roll in it, it's got a good beat, you know?" Indeed, "Growin' Up" has become one of Springsteen's signature songs, often played as an encore or a crowd sing-along.
Line by Line Meaning
I stood stone-like at midnight, suspended in my masquerade
I felt stuck, unable to be myself, like I was pretending to be someone else.
I combed my hair till it was just right and commanded the night brigade
I was trying to look my best and act confidently to overcome my insecurities.
I was open to pain and crossed by the rain and I walked on a crooked crutch
I was vulnerable and had experienced hardships, but I kept going despite feeling broken.
I strolled all alone through a fallout zone and come out with my soul untouched
I faced difficult times by myself, but I was able to stay true to who I was on the inside.
I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd, but when they said, "Sit down," I stood up
I didn't want to stand out or be noticed, but I found the strength to speak up and be heard.
The flag of piracy flew from my mast, my sails were set wing to wing
I felt rebellious and free, like I was the captain of my own destiny.
I had a jukebox graduate for first mate, she couldn't sail but she sure could sing
I had someone special by my side who may not have been perfect, but was talented and supportive.
I pushed b-52 and bombed them with the blues with my gear set stubborn on standing
I didn't let anyone's opinions or expectations hold me back; I did things my way with determination.
I broke all the rules, strafed my old high school, never once gave thought to landing
I defied convention and authority, even if it meant facing consequences, because I was focused on my journey.
I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd, but when they said, "Come down," I threw up
I felt intimidated and anxious in social situations, but I found the courage to stand my ground and resist conformity.
I took month-long vacations in the stratosphere, and you know it's really hard to hold your breath
I had lofty aspirations and dreams that others may not have understood, but I persisted despite the challenges.
I swear I lost everything I ever loved or feared, I was the cosmic kid in full costume dress
I had moments where I felt like I had nothing left to hold onto, but I maintained a sense of wonder and imagination.
Well, my feet they finally took root in the earth, but I got me a nice little place in the stars
I eventually found a sense of groundedness and stability, but I still had a strong sense of ambition and adventure.
And I swear I found the key to the universe in the engine of an old parked car
I found inspiration and meaning in unexpected places, and learned to appreciate the small things in life.
I hid in the mother breast of the crowd, but when they said, "Pull down," I pulled up
I sought comfort and security in groups of people, but ultimately had the courage to go against the grain and forge my own path in life.
Ooh...growin' up
Through these experiences, I learned a lot about myself and what I wanted out of life, and I continue to grow and evolve as a person.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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